Perfusion Basic Science Examination (PBSE) 

Eligibility Criteria

The criteria for application to take the Perfusion Basic Science Examination are as follows:

1. The applicant must fulfill one of the following criteria:
   • The applicant must have graduated from, or be currently enrolled in, an accredited cardiovascular perfusion education program, and anticipating graduation prior to the date of the examination; or
   • The applicant must have been admitted to the examination process before April 15, 1981, or have been previously certified by the ABCP.
2. Applicants for the examination must have the following on file in the National Office prior to the examination:
   • A current official transcript of credits from the accredited school of cardiovascular perfusion, indicating date of graduation.
   • A written statement of satisfactory clinical competency from the Clinical Competency Committee of the school.
   • Documentation of a minimum of 75 cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) cases performed during the education program. A minimum of 10 clinical pediatric cases requiring cardiopulmonary bypass must be observed or performed for the certification process. Pediatric cases performed may count toward the 75 minimum cardiopulmonary bypass case requirements; observational pediatric cases do not count toward the 75 minimum cardiopulmonary bypass case requirements.
   • Please Note: Beginning July 1, 2023: 5 of the 75 Primary Clinical Perfusion Activities (PCPA) must qualify as 3P - ECMO or 6P - VAD cases per Table A of the BOI. The remaining 70 (or more) PCPA must qualify as 1P - primary cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Definitions of Qualifying Primary Clinical Perfusion Activities can be found here.
     • Credit will be considered for perfusion experience only when the following criteria are met:
       • The student performed all seventy-five (75) cases within the United States of America, U.S. Territories, and/or Canada (effective 08/01/2024).
       • The student performed and/or observed ten (10) pediatric cases within the United States of America, U.S. Territories, and/or Canada (effective 08/01/2024).
       • The student participated in the preoperative planning and selection of equipment used during the perfusion.
       • The student performed the technical manipulations that constituted the essential parts of the procedure itself.
       • An instructor must be physically present during cardiopulmonary bypass cases and that instructor must be a Certified Clinical Perfusionist (CCP).

Applicants are required to submit, or arrange to submit, the following items to the National Office prior to the examination:

1. Clinical education record documenting 75 clinical perfusions, after 08/01/24, within the United States of America, U.S. Territories, and/or Canada.
2. The student performed and/or observed ten (10) pediatric cases, after 08/01/24, within the United States of America, U.S. Territories, and/or Canada.
3. A current, official transcript of credits from the accredited school of perfusion, indicating date of graduation; and
4. A statement of satisfactory clinical competency from the Clinical Competency Committee chairperson at the accredited school of perfusion.

The number of times that the Perfusion Basic Science Examination can be taken is not limited.

Applicants retaking the Perfusion Basic Science Examination are NOT required to resubmit or arrange for resubmission of items 1-3, the Clinical Education Record, the official transcript, and the Clinical Competency statement. These items will remain on file from the previous application. 

Please note, all applications submitted after March 16, 2026 for the spring exam (and after September 22, 2026 for the fall exam) will have a $100 late fee applied. Eligibility to register with Pearson VUE is contingent upon all documentation being received in the National Office prior to registration.

All files MUST be complete by March 30, 2026 for the spring exam and by October 5, 2026 for the fall exam. Eligibility to reserve a seat with the Testing Site is contingent upon receipt of all documentation by the National Office.